Parliament on Friday sent the medical cannabis bill to relevant ministries for further scrutiny.
The Medical Cannabis and Industry Hemp (Cultivation, Production, Production, Processing, Storage, Exportation, Distribution and Use) Bill was presented in the House and supported by Members of Parliament from both sides.
However, members agreed to send back the bill to be scrutinised by ministries of Homeland Security, Justice and Agriculture in order to guide the bill.
Speaking with reporters, Member of Parliament Ntchisi North Boniface Kadzamira who presented the bill, said he was happy that the bill was well received by opposition and government legislators.
On his part, Malawi Congress Party Member of Parliament Richard Chimwendo said the legislation should include provisions that make sure that any person who grows the crop has a certificate.
He added that companies that will be buying the medical cannabis should not be allowed to grow the crop as well.
On the same day, Parliament passed the Mines and Minerals Bill which seeks to repeal the Mines and Minerals Act which was enacted in 1981, and replace it with a new act that will incorporate local and international trends in the application of modern practices in the mining industry.
The objective of the Mines and Minerals act is to regulate the development of the mineral resources of Malawi through adherence to sustainable development principles in order to benefit the economy and promote the economic growth of Malawi, provide an attractive and conducive environment for investment in the mining sector and manage environmental impacts for the benefit of all present and future generations of Malawians.
